Short Story #1

Barnaby Smith was quite a guy, unfortunately he was only 3 feet high. But his pride and spirit were ten feet tall and all he wanted to do was play basketball. Of course a dwarf couldn't be a star. He practiced every day and wanted it really hard. He dribbled and took a 100 shots from the free throw line - passerby's amazed; he was playing all the time.

Then one day he fooled himself enough to believe he had the skills to make the team. No matter what the jokers and critics said, Barnaby never let any of it into his head.

The open tryout was an early Friday night and he had slept and ate what he felt was just right and the time came, and he grabbed his Reebok Pumps.

"Barnaby! You can't fly with those you naive chump!"

Never the mind, always the heart, that always set the drawf apart. He put his yellow jersey on, grabbed his keys and he was gone. On his way to the Courtyard Blue, he envisioned how his dream would come true. He pictured the girls, the fame, the new car, the mansion with acres and acres of back and front yard. He'd speak to all the unfortunate dwarfs of the land and shake thier little paws with his golden hands. He'd laugh at night with all the money he spent and prep his campaign to be president.

His mind was racing, racing, he was almost there. Hell, Barnaby even wore his lucky underwear. Anyway, he pulled in and parked and went inside. With each step full of confidence and a whole world of pride. In the locker room just to the right, he prepped himself for his final flight. He knew this was for sure his last chance. He'd end his life if he tripped up this little dance.

With a final quiet moment he meditated on that bench, A\a final self-confidence boost, "This'll be a cinch". And before he knew it, he stepped out that glossy floor, only to be welcomed be and outburst, a humiliating roar."

Look at Tom Thumb! Look at the minature basketball player!"

And it went on and on until a few minutes later. Then a booming voice killed the sound of the clan, and from it, Barnaby saw the most respected man. Coach William Wilson from Florida State. His record was flawless and his reputation so great.

"Line up for your first tryout drill, and don't waste my time, I got a champion team to build!"

"Let's start off from the three point mark,Those who make it get a little closer to start"
And every man shot it, only three had it made, next was Barnaby Smith at the plate. He pumped his Pumps and dribbled it thrice, then threw the shot up, not near the height. Came up short and out came the laughs. Maybe the next drill, he'd get it right - perhaps.

"A little closer all who had previously missed, the free throw line, more starters could come from this!"

The twelve men left shot two shots, one by one. Again, Barnaby's destined time had come. Three times he dribbled and this one more time,Then took his two shots, and missed both from the line. Six men moved on, to take it from the top. A dunk each gave them one final shot. Three stunning slams, a backboard, and a fall. Then one more time, he had the ball. He bent over and tried a few pumps more, ran as fast as he could and jumped off the floor. Not enough height, the story of his life.

The story of his life, not enough height. How could he let himself be such a dope? And he did something he never did before, he moped. A turn around and a long walk to the locker, Barnaby wasn't fit for basketball, maybe he'd try soccer.

After about three or four steps, a voice yelled out, "Mr Smith, what the heck?"

"I tried, I really did", he could only mumble out.

"You're not quite done with this tryout, come on over here and pull up your pants. Defensive drills next, you have one more chance."

With a little doubt, and even littler pride, he figured he'd give it the old college try. Get the ball away, that was the goal. For this last losing battle, he'd reach in the depths of his soul. Four chances to steal that ball, two guys got none, Barnaby got them all!

And the announcements were made, and he made the team! He couldn't believe this wasn't a dream. The biggest threat the following year, he had stole his way to the top tiers. Finally, Barnaby got all his deserved glory. A drawf felt ten feet tall in this little short story.